{"id":92267,"date":"2021-01-21T17:53:28","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T17:53:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=92267"},"modified":"2022-09-28T08:22:01","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T08:22:01","slug":"cost-of-living","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/istanbul\/cost-of-living\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost of Living"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” el_class=”three-top-tips” css=”.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\n

Cost of Living for Expats in Istanbul and Turkey<\/h2>\n

Many digital nomads and retirees are choosing to relocate to Turkey because of its low cost of living. Housing<\/a>, food<\/a> and entertainment are very affordable. One can have a high standard of living for a fraction of the cost of living back at home.<\/p>\n

Over recent years, the cost of living for foreigners has even decreased. Terrorist attacks and the military coup have forced the lira to drop significantly.<\/p>\n

As of December 2020, the exchange rates are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

CURRENCY<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

TURKISH LIRA TL<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

US 1:00<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7.390<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

AUD 1:00<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.633<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

EURO 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.045<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

GBP 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.965 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The costs of living in Istanbul are higher than in other cities in Turkey. Still, accommodation is affordable if you look beyond the websites set up for foreigners. Check out local websites like Sahibinden<\/a> or Craigslist<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Food costs in the supermarket are rising and for locals may seem expensive but considering the exchange rates at this time, are very affordable for ex-pats.<\/p>\n

Alcohol is one product that is expensive in Turkey. High taxes are added to the cost. The high cost of alcohol has lead to a new trend of making bootleg spirits. Beware of these products as they can be lethal.<\/p>\n

An excellent website to see current prices for all things from rents to utilities to a loaf of bread, check out Numbeo<\/a>. On this website, you can compare Istanbul costs with your current city. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you relocate.<\/p>\n

As per Numbeo, a single person’s costs excluding rent are estimated to be US$441.30 per month. A family of four, the costs are estimated to be US$1,552<\/p>\n

More examples from Numbeo:<\/p>\n

Rent prices in Istanbul are 92% lower than in New York.<\/p>\n

Rent prices in Istanbul are 87.5% lower than in London, United Kingdom.<\/p>\n

When comparing Istanbul to most major cities around the world, the cost of living in Istanbul is considerably cheaper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ el_class=”city-side-bar”][vc_row_inner el_class=”sidebar-section-one”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Top Tips” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_separator color=”#ffffff” type=”full_width” thickness=”1″ up=”” down=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
01<\/td>\nRespect the culture. Even though Turkey is a liberal country in regards to dress, it is still advisable to dress more modestly. Super short shorts and revealing tops will get you some unwanted attention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
02<\/td>\nBring along a scarf. If you intend on visiting any of the beautiful mosques, you will need to cover your hair. Also, entry will be denied if not dressed respectably. Shorts and short skirts won\u2019t be allowed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
03<\/td>\nWhen you arrive in Istanbul, buy an Istanbul Card which allows you to travel on all buses, ferries, trams, metros and funiculars. It is prepaid and rechargeable and definitely worth it, as all fares are discounted. You can even use it on the iconic Taksim tram.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
04<\/td>\nIf you want to experience authentic Turkish cuisine, then leave the tourist areas and head for the suburbs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
05<\/td>\nRefrain from voicing your opinions on Turkish politics and the present President. In Turkey, this can get you into hot water and its best to avoid all political discussions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” el_class=”three-top-tips” css=”.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text] Cost of Living for Expats in Istanbul and Turkey Many digital nomads and retirees are choosing to relocate to Turkey because of its low cost of living. Housing, food and entertainment are very affordable. One can have a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":92047,"parent":92012,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-istanbul.php","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-92267","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nCost of Living : Istanbul : Destinations. Expat Info Desk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A guide for Expats and Global Nomads to the cost of living in Istanbul. 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